The Final Four not really a surprise
While some may not have picked the Los Angeles Kings and the Ottawa Senators to extend their playoff run into round three, few would have been surprised by it either. After all, Ottawa did claim second seed in the Eastern Conference and post 113 points on the season, while Los Angeles finished third in the Eastern Conference, just four points behind the San Jose Sharks. For the first time in WCHL history, we almost witnessed the top two seeds in both conferences move on to the third round.
Los Angeles and Ottawa may not have pulled off shocking upsets to get this far, but they will likely have to do so to get to the WCHL Cup finals. Facing them is arguably the two best teams in the game, the Calgary Flames and the New York Rangers.
Both squads made it this far last year, and the Rangers even advanced to the WCHL Cup finals, losing to the Colorado Avalanche. Calgary and New York also faced off in the WCHL Cup finals in Season 11, with Calgary winning in four straight.
In fact only Ottawa hasn't made the finals of the remaining four teams, with the Kings also having a championship under their belt from Season 6.
Not really a test as lopsided as David and Goliath, but it's clear right now who the favorites are in each conference finals matchup.
Here are my predictions for round three:
Western Conference
(1) Calgary Flames vs. (3) Los Angeles Kings- The new powerhouse of the West, Calgary, looks to knock off a Kings team that may be on its final run.
Calgary survived a significant first round scare at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets and clearly showed they learned their lesson in round two, blasting the two-time defending WCHL Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in four games. Now it's time to see if Calgary can keep their foot on the gas pedal and hit the Kings hard. With key cogs Mike Richards and Steven Stamkos combining for just three goals so far, the likes of Mikko Koivu, Jamie Benn and Travis Hamonic have stepped up their offensive output, showing the real strength of a Flames squad which can roll four lines with the best of them.
Los Angeles meanwhile has had Conn Smythe caliber performances from Paul Stastny all playoffs. The at times beleaguered centre has shown what he isn't to be cast in the shadow of his famous father, rattling off nine goals and 21 points so far this post-season, both tops so far this year. In fact, Stastny has more assists so far this post-season than all but seven players. He has helped to overcome the efforts of netminder Tim Thomas, who has posted just a .850 save percentage through 13 starts, by far the worst of any regular netminder these playoffs and a full 60 points lower than Flames starter Cam Ward.
It will be a tough battle, but if Thomas isn't on his game, there's little chance the Kings can overcome the constant pressure the Flames generate. Calgary's depth will likely be the tipping point to this post-season. Calgary in five.
Eastern Conference
(1) New York Rangers vs. (2) Ottawa Senators- The upstart Ottawa Senators have served notice they are a new threat in the Eastern Conference, but they will have their stiffest test now with the dominant New York Rangers.
The Rangers have shocked no one this season by once again rattling off a strong season, and that carried into the playoffs where they got past the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games before sweep the New York Islanders in round two for the second straight year. Now they aim to be the first repeat Eastern Conference champion by taking on the Ottawa Senators. With Johan Franzen scoring almost a goal per game and Thomas Fleischmann coming out of nowhere to tally 14 points in just nine games, the Rangers have the firepower to make it happen.
Ottawa meanwhile has been riding a hot goalie in Mike Smith through 13 games so far these playoffs. Smith's .916 save percentage is the best of the remaining four starting netminders and only Columbus' Semyon Varlamov's .918 is higher so far these playoffs. While Milan Michalek does have seven goals in 13 games so far, by and large the Senators offense have been mediocre this post-season, meaning the Senators will likely need to rely on Smith even more to move past the Rangers.
Ottawa has done well these playoffs and have shown why they aren't a flash in the pan. They will put on a good fight against the Rangers, but their time is in a few years, not right now. New York Rangers in six.
